Sequoia vs. Suburban

[HawkeyeScott]

Considering a 'new' used vehicle and looking at something with the space of a third row that can amply pull a medium sized travel trailer. Been looking the last few months at current generation Sequoias, likely 2008-11. Love the idea of the Tundra drivetrain and Toyota reliability. But they're hard to find and local demand seems to have them selling above book.

So as of late I'm also considering a Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe. Smaller engine, less towing capacity but also better mileage. And, I believe, a bit more room in the Suburban.

Based on what I'll be spending, it'll be a 10+ year car for us that I'll maintain the heck out of. (I'm a BITOGer, after all!) Probably going to be buying at around 100k miles, with plans to rely on it until 175-200k, ideally without engine or transmission issues before then. Also thinking about rattles, seats, and components like AC system, controls, etc.

Always have received good opinions here so asking again. Thanks a lot.

 

[dishdude]

Can't beat the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban. I get them on occasion as rentals and they are my favorite. I've also had the Sequoia, the V8 sounds great when you start it, but everything from that point on is a let down.

 

[JHZR2]

The third row plus cargo space of a suburban can't be beat. Sequoia is much shorter, like the Tahoe.

 

[Bandito440]

Get a 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6.0. That should have plenty of towing capacity, and all the interior room you'll need.

 

[Falcon_LS]

No comparison, you can compare it to the Tahoe/Yukon but the Suburban/Yukon XL's a 8/9 seater and cannot be beat. It's been my choice of rental for a long time, and a serious consideration for my next vehicle when the time comes.

The new ones ('15+) get great gas mileage for their class, the 5.3L has no trouble getting out of its way (never has to be honest) and they're easy to work on. Being an OHV, there's lots of room in the engine compartment. Transmission is smooth as silk, pretty decent handling for its size (although I wish it had stiffer springs and bigger sway bars to reduce body roll even more) and pretty grabby brakes. Steering feels a bit stiffer than the previous generation, which is a plus in my book and it has excellent ride comfort, as expected, even on bumpy roads. Build quality on the new generation is really up there, with a really good fit and finish.

From a personal perspective, the only thing I would change is make the suspension stiffer, but the Yukon Denali XL already offers that with bigger wheels to boot.

 

[CKN]

The interior of the Toyota is pathetic-not saying the Suburban interior is great, but it's better than the Sequoia.


Both motors are great though.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: CKN
The interior of the Toyota is pathetic-not saying the Suburban interior is great, but it's better than the Sequoia.


Both motors are great though.


True on all accounts. The 2008 Dodge Caliber puts the Sequoia interior to shame.

 

[spasm3]

Wheel base for the sequoia is 122 inches. (2010)

Wheel base for the suburban is 130 inches. (2010)


For towing, I'd always want more wheelbase.

 

[Rolla07]

Sequoia mileage is awful..does the suburban have a diesel option? The 5.3 if same as one found in Silverado is good on gas but I wouldnt say fast. Prices on Toyotas are up there..

 

[LeakySeals]

I would choose the Yukon XL. Its the prettiest one of the group (other than an Escalade

) I may go for the 2018 traverse in a few years. Like the new size and shape.

Note: Most of them have built in towing/load leveling which costs a small fortune to repair when it fails approx 5 years. The front RTD and magnetic shocks cost $350 EACH. Don't think the Sequoia has any of that..

 

[Alex_V]

In 2006 my dad bought a '97 Suburban, half ton 2WD, Vortec 350/4L60E, with 170,000 mi. on it. One transmission rebuild, two fuel pumps, one radiator/water pump, one injector service, and no suspension work (granted, it needs it now) later, it's still his primary rig with 420,000 mi. and counting. So I'm biased.

What exactly is the "medium-size" travel trailer?

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: HawkeyeScott
that can amply pull a medium sized travel trailer.


Get a 2500 Suburban.

 

[AZjeff]

01-09 Sequoia = timing belt replacement every 90K.

http://toyota.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7690/~/does-my-vehicle-have-a-timing-belt-or-timing-chain%3F

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
No comparison, you can compare it to the Tahoe/Yukon but the Suburban/Yukon XL's a 8/9 seater and cannot be beat. It's been my choice of rental for a long time, and a serious consideration for my next vehicle when the time comes.

The new ones ('15+) get great gas mileage for their class, the 5.3L has no trouble getting out of its way (never has to be honest) and they're easy to work on. Being an OHV, there's lots of room in the engine compartment. Transmission is smooth as silk, pretty decent handling for its size (although I wish it had stiffer springs and bigger sway bars to reduce body roll even more) and pretty grabby brakes. Steering feels a bit stiffer than the previous generation, which is a plus in my book and it has excellent ride comfort, as expected, even on bumpy roads. Build quality on the new generation is really up there, with a really good fit and finish.

From a personal perspective, the only thing I would change is make the suspension stiffer, but the Yukon Denali XL already offers that with bigger wheels to boot.


A 2500 Suburban/YukonXL would have leaf springs in the rear. Would work a bit better with heavy towing.

 

[DriveHard]

Actually you can get a GMC Yukon Denali and an Escalade with the 6.2L if you are really wanting some grunt!

 

[Smokescreen]

I sold my 1997 suburban to my brother...it is still going with 423,000km (264,000+ miles) on it. Parts when needed are affordable and plentiful.

 

[supton]

Toyota resale is kinda high. Any engine/trans/driveline deficiencies (if any) probably have aftermarket solutions at a lower cost than for the Toyota. And I suspect parts and knowledge is more easy to come by.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
A 2500 Suburban/YukonXL would have leaf springs in the rear. Would work a bit better with heavy towing.

The 1500 Burbs are really set-up as big cars. That's most of the target audience though.
The 2500 Burbs are completely different, and are a big step-up in the towing department.

 

[mshu7]

What about a Ford or Chevy/GMC 12-passenger van?

I'd drive something like this:

Seriously though, lots of interior space in those.

 

[HawkeyeScott]

Thanks, everybody. Glad I asked. I had tunnel vision on the Toyota and I see I need to give some serious consideration to GM. More thoughts are welcome.

Knowing the GMs are easier to work on is a huge plus.

Thanks for the van idea. Out here in the mountain West, it's not unusual to see one of those. In fact, my neighbor's father has one and he gets into pretty much any area he wants. My wife, though, will need to sign off on this (as a sometimes driver). And she'll shoot a van down pretty quickly, I think.

Medium sized travel trailer, by the way, is, to me, 20-24ish ft. Ours is smaller than that now, but pulls sort of heavy. I think a 1500 would do it fine, but I may sometime upgrade trailers and need to buy accordingly now.